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Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
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  #1  
Old 16 Oct 2016
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Sleeping In A Tent
Hi all

I'm faced with a dilemma. In years gone by I used to camp reasonably regularly. Sleeping was usually a tolerable situation in a tent. I am most definitely a person who prefers a proper good bed, like everyone I guess, but here's my problem.....Last night I went camping. I wasn't on the bike, I chose to 'cheat' a little bit and take the car and my proper bed quilt. Put the tent up, lit a fire had something to eat. When I went to bed I just had the quilt and a pillow. I wrapped myself up in the quilt (heavy and thick one) but I just could not sleep. The problem was comfort, even with the quilt the ground was too hard for me and it was a miserable night. So my question is: for motorcycle camping what on earth am I gonna do to fix this? Those little self-inflating airbeds are just not gonna cut it I'm afraid. I'm disappointed because I'm planning a decent trip next year and I was hoping to keep the costs down and add a bit of alternative enjoyment by camping a reasonable amount. Any advice would be great
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  #2  
Old 16 Oct 2016
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Closed cell pad under an Exped sleeping pad should do you good. If you live near an REI you can go in an lay down on all the mats. Give 'em a test.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
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  #3  
Old 16 Oct 2016
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I too was looking for a more comfortable solution when camping in a tent for my upcoming trip.

I used before the combination of a 1" thick thermarest + blue foam mattresses. But it is bulky and not comfy enough.

I bought a thermarest Neo Camper mattress (3" thickness). So far i'm very happy with it.

It is NOT self inflatable. So yes it does take longer to fill it with air. But, I don't mind. I better like to spend more time filling it and sleeping very well than the opposite.

When sleeping at cold temperature, i put an aluminum survival blanket between the mattress and ground.

Patrick
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  #4  
Old 16 Oct 2016
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Hennessy Hammocks for a good nights sleep
https://youtu.be/q_7AYQ6jXnc

Unhappy campers...., I found the perfect solution to overnighting in the wild. rosa del desierto and I each purchased Hennessy Hammocks and have used them on three continents. These hammocks are very comfortable if you add a thermorest self inflating pad under you - good even in the coldest weather with the fly attached and a good sleeping bag - I was warm at below freezing temperatures.

Here I am at our place in Kino Viejo , Mexico earlier this year demonstrating the Hennessy Hammock which actually serves as a tent in foul weather because it comes equipped with a fly and mosquito net. (see video)

Also it is very easy to keep an eye on your bike and gear from the hammock. We usually leave the bikes packed and locked except for the hammocks and cooking gear. No problems through the Andes and from Spain to Turkey and return.

rosa del desierto produced, directed and filmed the video which is part of our "Overland Fitness" series free on You Tube.

xfiltrate
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Old 16 Oct 2016
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Take`s time to fill good sleeping on the thermarest to mach air is no good but you have to practice.....so get out in to the nature ...

Or you can tray to fall a sleep this way ......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjMOvN0p1i4
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  #6  
Old 16 Oct 2016
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Kawazoki,

Maybe i made the mattress air filling worst then it is. I also have the Thermarest Neo Air pump sack. So filling the mattress is no hard work. Just waiting time: opening the air sac, closing it and then putting small pressure on the air sac to fill the mattress. I could also use my electrical air compressor if i wanted too.

They came out wih a new model that is suppose to be even quicker to inflate: "neo camper sv"

I looked at your setup. Good that it works for you. But it is not flexible enough for me on long trips. I need a tent
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  #7  
Old 16 Oct 2016
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I picked up a little battery operated inflator to help with the air mattress. doesn't take up a lot of room and you an finish putting up the tent while its inflating.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Mini Pump | Backcountry.com

We have been looking to get a pair of these:
Therm-a-Rest LuxuryLite UltraLite Cot | Backcountry.com

I have heard from those that use them that they work great.
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Old 16 Oct 2016
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I've just re felt recently picked up a Helinox Cot Lite and is a revelation. The poles fit easily into my panniers, taking up less space than a roll mat. It's as comfy as I could reasonably ask for in tent sleeping.

Bloody expensive, but a good night's sleep is worth the price.
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Old 16 Oct 2016
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Arma,

I looked at those Helinox Cot lite but i was worried that they would damage a tent floor quickly.

Feel free to give a longer review of the Helinox Cot lite: when ground is not level, how is comfort?

Patrick
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Old 16 Oct 2016
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Kawazoki
私、あなたの一番のファンです。
watashi, anata no ichiban no fan desu.
Very impressive Kawazoki, I grew up in Japan and as I watched your video memories of my childhood flooded in. Thank you so much for your excellent video.
ありがとうございました
Arigatōgozaimashita

Thermarest is self inflating. Just unscrew cap and wait a few minutes then screw cap tight.

I really enjoyed your video. do you have others? Sort of Haiku cinema!

xfiltrate
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  #11  
Old 16 Oct 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PatOnTrip View Post
Arma,

I looked at those Helinox Cot lite but i was worried that they would damage a tent floor quickly.

Feel free to give a longer review of the Helinox Cot lite: when ground is not level, how is comfort?

Patrick
I can't say I've used it a lot yet, just a few nights - I got it as an impulse buy after getting sick of my Thermarest self inflating mat.

The feet are pretty big, so I doubt it would poke a hole in the floor unless the ground under the tent was very wet / squishy - but I do try to avoid camping in a marsh! You could always put something under the feet I guess, to spread the load - a riding jacket would do the job nicely.

The whole frame is fairly flexible, so I think it would handle uneven ground easily but I've not tried yet. It would certainly smooth out any bumps better than a mat.

It's really quick to put together as well.
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  #12  
Old 17 Oct 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisFS View Post
So my question is: for motorcycle camping what on earth am I gonna do to fix this? Those little self-inflating airbeds are just not gonna cut it I'm afraid.
Think you'll be surprised at how comfortable the self-inflating airbeds are. I put a few puffs of extra air in mine to make it firm. Borrow one and try it.

The quilt does not work as it is meant for no weight on it .. sleeping on it just compresses it to nothing - so it is both cold and has no padding for comfort.
In my home bed I found the self-inflating airbed was warmer to sleep on than the mattress (I was testing it for any slow air leaks, airbed on to of mattress).
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Old 17 Oct 2016
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Or this could be my solution, or something similar...as long as it's packed away properly. I am trying to find a compromise between comfort and weight/pack size. Has anyone carried one of these on a bike?

https://www.amazon.com/Lightspeed-Ou...=sleepjudge-20
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Old 17 Oct 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisFS View Post
The problem was comfort, even with the quilt the ground was too hard for me and it was a miserable night. So my question is: for motorcycle camping what on earth am I gonna do to fix this?
Get use to this as you got use to your comfortable bad. People can get use to everything: A cigarette per day, no cigarette, a hotel, camping, wasting money or even saving money Some people even get use to be in jail...
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  #15  
Old 17 Oct 2016
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I am an absolute sook when it comes to sleeping and any type of 'compact' mattress that is small enough for the bike kills me.

Yes I am a sook and (not) proud of it.

Being a side sleeper is the main issue I think.

So for my wife and I we are building a small trailer to tow behind the bike, for the sole reason of carrying two single '4wd matts' for camping. The type that self inflate when you undo the valves and straps keep them rolled up.

The type in Oz is called Dune

Sad I know. But the only option for me.

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